How procurement can help social landlords get ahead of damp and mould 

Last year an investigation found that damp and mould reports in Scottish social homes have risen by a staggering 200% since 2019. 

This jump, identified through Freedom of Information Requests to every housing association and council in Scotland, reflects a mix of pressures. Rising energy costs, ageing stock and stretched maintenance budgets all play a part, alongside the challenge of ensuring staff have the capacity and skills to diagnose, prevent and treat damp and mould effectively. 

With cases climbing and underlying pressures remaining acute, it’s no surprise that Scotland is set to follow England in tightening the rules on how social landlords handle damp and mould.  

Draft regulations have been tabled in the Scottish Parliament, and, if approved, the Investigation and Commencement of Repair (Scotland) Regulations 2026 will, from October, introduce sweeping duties around how Scottish housing associations and councils investigate, report and take action on indoor moisture and mould issues. 

However, successful delivery of Awaab’s Law will not just be down to housing officers, maintenance staff and asset managers. Procurement teams, with their ability to connect operational insight and market intelligence, have a vital role in supporting implementation. Here are five ways they can ensure their housing organisation remains compliant.  

Strengthen your contractor base 

One of the biggest concerns I hear from social landlords as they prepare for Awaab’s Law is contractor availability. Tight timelines mean the right specialists must respond fast, and as housing providers race to procure damp and mould contracts, the demand for expertise will spike, pushing up prices and highlighting skills gaps across Scotland. This is a particular challenge in rural regions where workforce shortages are more pronounced. 

One way to tackle this challenge is by actively nurturing your supply base. Meet the buyer events are a great way to find skilled damp and mould contractors and spark their interest in your work. Identifying local trades who are well trusted, who care about their community and who are familiar with property types, local weather and common repair issues can be hugely valuable.  

Tender training is another approach. Talking SMEs through the procurement process, how they can meet the criteria and complete the documentation is all valuable. Tender support is also available through networks such as the Supplier Development Programme (SDP). 

Consider your procurement route 

Procuring from a framework can be an efficient way to quickly and compliantly access damp and mould services but it’s worth looking at other options too. Dynamic purchasing systems (DPS) offer an effective way to procure compliantly from smaller contractors. This is because suppliers can join a DPS at any point and, once they have passed the selection process, they can bid straightaway, with less paperwork involved. 

Put robust competency checks in place 

As demand for damp and mould services rises, more contractors will come forward offering their expertise. Because remediation often requires specialist building‑pathology knowledge, it’s vital that procurement teams put guardrails in place to ensure they appoint genuinely skilled specialists. Setting clear competency standards is a good starting point. Check whether suppliers hold the Certificated Surveyor of Timber & Dampness in Buildings qualification (CSTDB), which is well respected, and prioritise contractors accredited by bodies such as the Property Care Association, the UK Academy of Mould Experts (UKAME) or the government‑endorsed TrustMark scheme.  

Focus on prevention and early detection 

Identifying damp and mould risks before they become a major issue is something procurement teams can drive. Look at sensor technology that uses predictive analytics linked to thermal performance, stock condition, property access, temperature and repairs records to identify damp and mould risk levels. 

Procurement teams can also leverage relationships with strategic suppliers already providing services in other areas. For example, firms testing fire safety equipment, conducting gas servicing or routine repairs could be contracted to report signs of damp and mould when they do house visits. 

Use contract data to identify what works, and what doesn’t 

Procurement teams sit on a wealth of operational information that can sharpen decisions on damp and mould. From repair diagnostics to supplier performance and contract‑management records, they can spot patterns that frontline teams may not see. Analysing trends by trade, recurrence rates, materials use and spend gives a clearer picture of where damp and mould issues are emerging – and which solutions are genuinely effective. 

The cross‑organisational viewpoint of procurement teams means they can link planned maintenance, reactive repairs and asset strategy – three areas that all shape damp and mould risk but often work apart. By pulling these strands together around shared outcomes, procurement can strengthen consistency and help ensure Awaab’s Law delivers what matters most: keeping tenants safe, healthy and heard.  

Andrew McAllister is an Account Manager at PfH Scotland This article was also published in Scottish Housing News, and can be read here.

Here’s how we can support you:

• Compliance frameworks: Dedicated lots for mould and damp treatment, surveying and fully managed solutions. 

• Materials & Decorative frameworks: Access to anti-mould sprays, Damp Proof Course membranes, domestic fans, dehumidifiers and more through national merchants.

• Responsive Repair Works & Voids DPS: Bespoke services for damp and mould prevention, repairs and void property treatments.

• Technical Support Services framework: Surveying and diagnostics to help you get ahead of the problem. 

• SHED innovation: Several suppliers on the our SHED frameworks offer damp and mould solutions, including Alator Data Services with its TrakAer sensor system and HTL.tech, both part of SHED 4. The SHED portal allows filtering by region, solution type, and supplier credentials.

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